Student protest at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary over sexual assault allegations

A number of students at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School held a protest Monday morning after allegations surfaced surrounding a student and multiple alleged sexual assaults.

A female student at the high school tells Castanet a teenage boy who attends Mount Boucherie groped her while at the male's home back in November.

The female student claims there have been other incidents involving the same teenage boy.

Students rallied outside of the high school just after 8:30 a.m. on Monday.

They held signs that read 'assaulted but not silenced,' 'survivors deserve better,' 'punish the rapist, not the victims.'

An organizer of the protest says students rallied together because they do not feel safe. The student says she is hoping the protest will spark action.

"We don't feel support and the people that did come forward feel there isn't enough change."

During the protest, several RCMP officers were stationed at the school.

At one point an RCMP officer escorted a male into the high school as protesters chanted close behind.

Central Okanagan School District superintendent Kevin Kaardal says safety is a top priority.

"There are minors involved. The accused is a minor. The person who is making the accusation is a minor. We just need to protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved and let this issue go through the system in the appropriate way."

A statement emailed to Castanet from SD23 says "We do not tolerate any form of sexual violence and take all allegations seriously. The District follows internal protocols that were developed alongside the Elizabeth Fry Society and the RCMP to ensure the safety and privacy of all minors involved."

"School administrators reached out to the students involved in the protest to make sure their concerns are heard and that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities."

Kaardal says he understands students frustrations.

"We understand young peoples desire to have a voice when they are frustrated and we have reached out and will work with the people involved."